The California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club (TDS), and Ecologic Partners are pleased to announce they have joined forces to oppose the lawsuit seeking to end open riding at the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA). Last year, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Desert Protection Council (DPC) filed suit against State Parks, claiming the open riding policy at Ocotillo Wells SVRA was damaging natural and cultural resources. Jesse Barton of Sacramento has represented CORVA since they filed for intervener status last year, and will continue representing the organization. Joining him will be David Hubbard of Gatzke Dillon & Ballance (Carlsbad), attorney for TDS and Ecologic.
PEER and DPC filed suit in Sacramento Superior Court alleging that State Parks is violating the Public Resources Code in their management of Ocotillo Wells. The Attorney General has aggressively defended State Parks’ management of the OWSVRA.
Now CORVA, TDS and Ecologic will be partnering to make sure every possible argument in favor of OHV recreation is developed and argued in this effort to keep OWSVRA open. “The more legal advice we have to help litigate this matter the better” agreed Harry Baker, CORVA President. “TDS has members whose families have recreated in this area for generations” said Tim Augustine, President of TDS, “we felt the more pairs of legal eyes reviewing this, the more likely we are to come out with a win”. Jesse Barton and David Hubbard will collaborate on developing the legal briefs necessary to convince the judge that State Parks has not abused its discretion in the management of the Park and that the natural and cultural resources continue to be protected effectively according to the law.
